Generic Carbatrol

A patent currently prevents any generic Carbatrol from being manufactured in the United States. The earliest date that a generic version of the drug could become available is in July 2011, when the first patent expires. However, certain circumstances, such as specific uses for Carbatrol or lawsuits, could prevent generic Carbatrol from being available until later.

Carbatrol Drug Information

Generic Carbatrol: An Overview

Carbatrol^® (carbamazepine) is a prescription medication that is approved for epilepsy treatment and for treating trigeminal neuralgia (a painful nerve disorder).

Carbatrol is manufactured by Shire US, Inc. Currently, the drug is protected by a patent that prevents any generic Carbatrol from being made in the United States.

When Will Generic Carbatrol Be Available?

The first patent for Carbatrol is set to expire in July 2011. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Carbatrol could become available. However, circumstances could extend this exclusivity period beyond this time. This could include things such as lawsuits or other patents for specific Carbatrol uses. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing generic Carbatrol.

Is Carbamazepine a Generic Carbatrol?

No -- carbamazepine is the active ingredient in Carbatrol (and several other products), but it is not a generic version of it. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of a drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off-patent and another company besides the original manufacturer must make the product.